Revelation 2:12

Revelation 2:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
• English Standard Version (ESV)"And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 'The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword.
• New King James Version (NKJV)“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write, ‘These things says He who has the sharp two-edged sword:
• New Living Translation (NLT)“Write this letter to the angel of the church in Pergamum. This is the message from the one with the sharp two-edged sword:

Context of Revelation 2:12

10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. 11Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death. “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 14Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality.

Revelation 2:12 word by word

Καὶ τῷ ἀγγέλῳ τῆς ἐν Περγάμῳ ἐκκλησίας γράψον· τάδε λέγει ὁ ἔχων τὴν ῥομφαίαν τὴν δίστομον τὴν ὀξεῖαν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• to the angelὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• to the angelἄγγελοςaggelos · angelG32
• of the churchἐκκλησίαekklēsia · assemblyG1577
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• PergamosΠέργαμοςPergamos · PergamumG4010
• writeγράφωgraphō · to writeG1125
• These thingsὅδεhode hēde tode · thisG3592
• saithλέγωlegō · to sayG3004
• he which hathἔχωechō · to have/beG2192
• theῥομφαίαrhomphaia · swordG4501
• sharpὀξύςoxus · sharp/swiftG3691
• with two edgesδίστομοςdistomos · double-edgedG1366

Cross-references for Revelation 2:12

• Revelation 2:1“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands.
• Revelation 1:11which said: “Write on a scroll what you see and send it to the seven churches: to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea.”
• Revelation 2:27that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’—just as I have received authority from my Father.
• Revelation 2:16Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
• Revelation 1:16In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
• Revelation 19:15Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
• Isaiah 11:4but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
• Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Commentaries on Revelation 2:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The angel of the Church in Pergamos - See the description of this place, Revelation 1:11. Which hath the sharp sword - See on Revelation 1:16; (note). The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, cuts every way; it convinces of sin, righteousness, and judgment; pierces between the joints and the marrow, divides between the soul and spirit, dissects the whole mind, and exhibits a regular anatomy of the soul. It not only reproves and exposes sin, but…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12And to the angel of the church in Pergamos - See the notes on Revelation 1:20. These things saith he which hath the sharp sword, … - See the notes on Revelation 1:16. Compare Hebrews 4:12; Ecclesiastes 12:11; Isaiah 49:2. Prof. Stuart suggests that when the Saviour, as represented in the vision, “uttered words, as they proceeded from his mouth, the halitus which accompanied them assumed, in the view of John, the form of an igneous two-edged sword.” It is…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 12-17Verses 12-17 The word of God is a sword, able to slay both sin and sinners. It turns and cuts every way; but the believer need not fear this sword; yet this confidence cannot be supported without steady obedience. As our Lord notices all the advantages and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he notices our temptations and discouragements from the same causes. In a situation of trials, the church of Pergamos had not denied the…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Christ's sharp, double-edged sword shows that these Christians would face the Lord’s harshest judgment (see Revelation 2:16; see study note on Revelation 1:16). The double-edged sword was a Roman symbol of authority, representing Pergamum as the province's capital. If the church failed, Christ, the true governor of the city, would use his authority against them.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Trench prefers writing Pergamus, or rather, Pergamum, on the river Caicus. It was capital of Attalus the Second's kingdom, which was bequeathed by him to the Romans, 133 B.C. Famous for its library, founded by Eumenes (197-159), and destroyed by Caliph Omar. Parchment, that is, Pergamena charta, was here discovered for book purposes. Also famous for the magnificent temple of Æsculapius, the healing god [Tacitus, Annals, 3.63]. he which hath the sharp…Read the comment

Topics related to Revelation 2:12

• Angel of the Churches
• Church
• Minister, Christian
• Pergamos
• Sword

In the dictionaries

• Angel
• Bed
• Faithful
• Alliance
• Apostolic Age
• Asia Minor
• Church Government
• Commandment, the New
• Ear
• Ephesians, Epistle to the

Commentaries on Revelation 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings